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Zhang P, Zhang F, Sui H, Yang X, Ji Y, Zheng S, Li W, Cheng K, Wang C, Jiao J, Zhang X, Cao Z, Zhang Y. Characterization of sexual maturity-associated N6-methyladenosine in boar testes. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:447. [PMID: 38714941 PMCID: PMC11075296 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10343-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The health and size of the testes are crucial for boar fertility. Testicular development is tightly regulated by epigenetics. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a prevalent internal modification on mRNA and plays an important role in development. The mRNA m6A methylation in boar testicular development still needs to be investigated. RESULTS Using the MeRIP-seq technique, we identify and profile m6A modification in boar testes between piglets and adults. The results showed 7783 distinct m6A peaks in piglets and 6590 distinct m6A peaks in adults, with 2,471 peaks shared between the two groups. Enrichment of GO and KEGG analysis reveal dynamic m6A methylation in various biological processes and signalling pathways. Meanwhile, we conjointly analyzed differentially methylated and expressed genes in boar testes before and after sexual maturity, and reproductive related genes (TLE4, TSSK3, TSSK6, C11ORF94, PATZ1, PHLPP1 and PAQR7) were identified. Functional enrichment analysis showed that differential genes are associated with important biological functions, including regulation of growth and development, regulation of metabolic processes and protein catabolic processes. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate that m6A methylation, differential expression and the related signalling pathways are crucial for boar testicular development. These results suggest a role for m6A modification in boar testicular development and provided a resource for future studies on m6A function in boar testicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, No.130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Fei Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, No.130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Heming Sui
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, No.130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, China
- National Animal Husbandry Service, Beijing, 100125, China
| | - Xingyu Yang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, No.130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Yiming Ji
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, No.130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Shenghao Zheng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, No.130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Wei Li
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, No.130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Kun Cheng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, No.130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Chonglong Wang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China
| | - Jun Jiao
- Anhui Haoyu Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd, Luan, 237451, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, No.130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Zubing Cao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, No.130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Yunhai Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, No.130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, China.
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Qiao R, Li X, Madsen O, Groenen MAM, Xu P, Wang K, Han X, Li G, Li X, Li K. Potential selection for lipid kinase activity and spermatogenesis in Henan native pig breeds and growth shaping by introgression of European genes. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:64. [PMID: 37723431 PMCID: PMC10506266 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00841-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND China has one third of the worldwide indigenous pig breeds. The Henan province is one of the earliest pig domestication centers of China (about 8000 years ago). However, the precise genetic characteristics of the Henan local pig breeds are still obscure. To understand the origin and the effects of selection on these breeds, we performed various analyses on lineage composition, genetic structure, and detection of selection sweeps and introgression in three of these breeds (Queshan, Nanyang and Huainan) using genotyping data on 125 Queshan, 75 Nanyang, 16 Huainan pigs and 878 individuals from 43 Eurasian pig breeds. RESULTS We found no clear evidence of ancestral domestic pig DNA lineage in the Henan local breeds, which have an extremely complicated genetic background. Not only do they share genes with some northern Chinese pig breeds, such as Erhualian, Hetaodaer, and Laiwu, but they also have a high admixture of genes from foreign pig breeds (33-40%). Two striking selection sweeps in small regions of chromosomes 2 and 14 common to the Queshan and Nanyang breeds were identified. The most significant enrichment was for lipid kinase activity (GO:0043550) with the genes FII, AMBRA1, and PIK3IP1. Another interesting 636.35-kb region on chromosome 14 contained a cluster of spermatogenesis genes (OSBP2, GAL3ST1, PLA2G3, LIMK2, and PATZ1), a bisexual sterility gene MORC2, and a fat deposition gene SELENOM. Reproduction and growth genes LRP4, FII, and ARHGAP1 were present in a 238.05-kb region on SSC2 under selection. We also identified five loci associated with body length (P = 0.004) on chromosomes 1 and 12 that were introgressed from foreign pig breeds into the Henan breeds. In addition, the Chinese indigenous pig breeds fell into four main types instead of the previously reported six, among which the Eastern type could be divided into two subgroups. CONCLUSIONS Admixture of North China, East China and foreign pigs contributed to high genetic diversity of Henan local pigs. Ontology terms associated with lipid kinase activity and spermatogenesis and growth shaping by introgression of European genes in Henan pigs were identified through selective sweep analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruimin Qiao
- College of Animal Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Xinjian Li
- College of Animal Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Ole Madsen
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 HB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martien A M Groenen
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 HB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pan Xu
- Jiangsu Agri-Animal Husbandry and Veterinary College, Taizhou, 225300, China
| | - Kejun Wang
- College of Animal Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Xuelei Han
- College of Animal Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Gaiying Li
- College of Animal Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Xiuling Li
- College of Animal Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Kui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
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3
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Lucà S, Franco R, Napolitano A, Soria V, Ronchi A, Zito Marino F, Della Corte CM, Morgillo F, Fiorelli A, Luciano A, Palma G, Arra C, Battista S, Cerchia L, Fedele M. PATZ1 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A New Biomarker That Negatively Correlates with PD-L1 Expression and Suppresses the Malignant Phenotype. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072190. [PMID: 37046851 PMCID: PMC10093756 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, is still an unmet medical problem due to the lack of both effective therapies against advanced stages and markers to allow a diagnosis of the disease at early stages before its progression. Immunotherapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint is promising for many cancers, including NSCLC, but its success depends on the tumor expression of PD-L1. PATZ1 is an emerging cancer-related transcriptional regulator and diagnostic/prognostic biomarker in different malignant tumors, but its role in lung cancer is still obscure. Here we investigated expression and role of PATZ1 in NSCLC, in correlation with NSCLC subtypes and PD-L1 expression. A cohort of 104 NSCLCs, including lung squamous cell carcinomas (LUSCs) and adenocarcinomas (LUADs), was retrospectively analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of PATZ1 and PD-L1. The results were correlated with each other and with the clinical characteristics, showing on the one hand a positive correlation between the high expression of PATZ1 and the LUSC subtype and, on the other hand, a negative correlation between PATZ1 and PD-L1, validated at the mRNA level in independent NSCLC datasets. Consistently, two NSCLC cell lines transfected with a PATZ1-overexpressing plasmid showed PD-L1 downregulation, suggesting a role for PATZ1 in the negative regulation of PD-L1. We also showed that PATZ1 overexpression inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and that Patz1-knockout mice develop LUAD. Overall, this suggests that PATZ1 may act as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Lucà
- Pathology Unit, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Renato Franco
- Pathology Unit, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Napolitano
- Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Soria
- Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Ronchi
- Pathology Unit, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Zito Marino
- Pathology Unit, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Carminia Maria Della Corte
- Department of Precision Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Floriana Morgillo
- Department of Precision Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Alfonso Fiorelli
- Translational Medical and Surgical Science, Thoracic Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Luciano
- S.S.D. Sperimentazione Animale, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Palma
- S.S.D. Sperimentazione Animale, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Arra
- S.S.D. Sperimentazione Animale, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sabrina Battista
- Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Cerchia
- Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Fedele
- Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80145 Naples, Italy
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4
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Zhang W, Li X, Jiang Y, Zhou M, Liu L, Su S, Xu C, Li X, Wang C. Genetic architecture and selection of Anhui autochthonous pig population revealed by whole genome resequencing. Front Genet 2022; 13:1022261. [PMID: 36324508 PMCID: PMC9618877 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1022261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic resources among pigs in Anhui Province are diverse, but their value and potential have yet to be discovered. To illustrate the genetic diversity and population structure of the Anhui pigs population, we resequenced the genome of 150 pigs from six representative Anhui pigs populations and analyzed this data together with the sequencing data from 40 Asian wild boars and commercial pigs. Our results showed that Anhui pigs were divided into two distinct types based on ancestral descent: Wannan Spotted pig (WSP) and Wannan Black pig (WBP) origins from the same ancestor and the other four populations origins from another ancestor. We also identified several potential selective sweep regions associated with domestication characteristics among Anhui pigs, including reproduction-associated genes (CABS1, INSL6, MAP3K12, IGF1R, INSR, LIMK2, PATZ1, MAPK1), lipid- and meat-related genes (SNX19, MSTN, MC5R, PRKG1, CREBBP, ADCY9), and ear size genes (MSRB3 and SOX5). Therefore, these findings expand the catalogue and how these genetic differences among pigs and this newly generated data will be a valuable resource for future genetic studies and for improving genome-assisted breeding of pigs and other domesticated animals.
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5
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Islam Z, Ali AM, Naik A, Eldaw M, Decock J, Kolatkar PR. Transcription Factors: The Fulcrum Between Cell Development and Carcinogenesis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:681377. [PMID: 34195082 PMCID: PMC8236851 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.681377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Higher eukaryotic development is a complex and tightly regulated process, whereby transcription factors (TFs) play a key role in controlling the gene regulatory networks. Dysregulation of these regulatory networks has also been associated with carcinogenesis. Transcription factors are key enablers of cancer stemness, which support the maintenance and function of cancer stem cells that are believed to act as seeds for cancer initiation, progression and metastasis, and treatment resistance. One key area of research is to understand how these factors interact and collaborate to define cellular fate during embryogenesis as well as during tumor development. This review focuses on understanding the role of TFs in cell development and cancer. The molecular mechanisms of cell fate decision are of key importance in efforts towards developing better protocols for directed differentiation of cells in research and medicine. We also discuss the dysregulation of TFs and their role in cancer progression and metastasis, exploring TF networks as direct or indirect targets for therapeutic intervention, as well as specific TFs’ potential as biomarkers for predicting and monitoring treatment responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyaul Islam
- Diabetes Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ameena Mohamed Ali
- Diabetes Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Adviti Naik
- Translational Cancer and Immunity Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohamed Eldaw
- Diabetes Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Julie Decock
- Translational Cancer and Immunity Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Prasanna R Kolatkar
- Diabetes Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
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6
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Mancinelli S, Vitiello M, Donnini M, Mantile F, Palma G, Luciano A, Arra C, Cerchia L, Liguori GL, Fedele M. The Transcription Regulator Patz1 Is Essential for Neural Stem Cell Maintenance and Proliferation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:657149. [PMID: 33898458 PMCID: PMC8058466 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.657149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Proper regulation of neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons are generated from neural stem and progenitor cells (NS/PCs), is essential for embryonic brain development and adult brain function. The transcription regulator Patz1 is ubiquitously expressed in early mouse embryos and has a key role in embryonic stem cell maintenance. At later stages, the detection of Patz1 expression mainly in the developing brain suggests a specific involvement of Patz1 in neurogenesis. To address this point, we first got insights in Patz1 expression profile in different brain territories at both embryonic and postnatal stages, evidencing a general decreasing trend with respect to time. Then, we performed in vivo and ex vivo analysis of Patz1-knockout mice, focusing on the ventricular and subventricular zone, where we confirmed Patz1 enrichment through the analysis of public RNA-seq datasets. Both embryos and adults showed a significant reduction in the number of Patz1-null NS/PCs, as well as of their self-renewal capability, compared to controls. Consistently, molecular analysis revealed the downregulation of stemness markers in NS/PCs derived from Patz1-null mice. Overall, these data demonstrate the requirement of Patz1 for NS/PC maintenance and proliferation, suggesting new roles for this key transcription factor specifically in brain development and plasticity, with possible implications for neurodegenerative disorders and glial brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mancinelli
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Michela Vitiello
- Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Donnini
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Mantile
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Palma
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale (S.S.D.) Sperimentazione Animale, Istituto Nazionale Tumori—Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)–Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Luciano
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale (S.S.D.) Sperimentazione Animale, Istituto Nazionale Tumori—Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)–Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Arra
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale (S.S.D.) Sperimentazione Animale, Istituto Nazionale Tumori—Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)–Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Cerchia
- Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Monica Fedele
- Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
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7
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Lakpour N, Saliminejad K, Ghods R, Reza Sadeghi M, Pilatz A, Khosravi F, Madjd Z. Potential biomarkers for testicular germ cell tumour: Risk assessment, diagnostic, prognostic and monitoring of recurrence. Andrologia 2021; 53:e13998. [PMID: 33534171 DOI: 10.1111/and.13998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) is considered a relatively rare malignancy usually occurring in young men between 15 and 35 years of age, and both genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development. The majority of patients are diagnosed in an early-stage of TGCTs with an elevated 5-year survival rate after therapy. However, approximately 25% of patients show an incomplete response to chemotherapy or tumours relapse. The current therapies are accompanied by several adverse effects, including infertility. Aside from classical serum biomarker, many studies reported novel biomarkers for TGCTs, but without proper validation. Cancer cells share many similarities with embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and since ESC genes are not transcribed in most adult tissues, they could be considered ideal candidate targets for cancer-specific diagnosis and treatment. Added to this, several microRNAs (miRNA) including miRNA-371-3p can be further investigated as a molecular biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of TGCTs. In this review, we will illustrate the findings of recent investigations in novel TGCTs biomarkers applicable for risk assessment, screening, diagnosis, prognosis, prediction and monitoring of the relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niknam Lakpour
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kioomars Saliminejad
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Ghods
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Sadeghi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Farhad Khosravi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Zahra Madjd
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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8
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Ng ZL, Siew J, Li J, Ji G, Huang M, Liao X, Yu S, Chew Y, Png CW, Zhang Y, Wen S, Yang H, Zhou Y, Long YC, Jiang ZH, Wu Q. PATZ1 (MAZR) Co-occupies Genomic Sites With p53 and Inhibits Liver Cancer Cell Proliferation via Regulating p27. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:586150. [PMID: 33598459 PMCID: PMC7882738 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.586150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in the world. POZ/BTB and AT-hook-containing zinc finger protein 1 (PATZ1/MAZR) is a transcription factor associated with various cancers. However, the role of PATZ1 in cancer progression remains controversial largely due to lack of genome-wide studies. Here we report that PATZ1 regulates cell proliferation by directly regulating CDKN1B (p27) in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Our PATZ1 ChIP-seq and gene expression microarray analyses revealed that PATZ1 is strongly related to cancer signatures and cellular proliferation. We further discovered that PATZ1 depletion led to an increased rate of colony formation, elevated Ki-67 expression and greater S phase entry. Importantly, the increased cancer cell proliferation was accompanied with suppressed expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor CDKN1B. Consistently, we found that PATZ1 binds to the genomic loci flanking the transcriptional start site of CDKN1B and positively regulates its transcription. Notably, we demonstrated that PATZ1 is a p53 partner and p53 is essential for CDKN1B regulation. In conclusion, our study provides novel mechanistic insights into the inhibitory role of PATZ1 in liver cancer progression, thereby yielding a promising therapeutic intervention to alleviate tumor burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Long Ng
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jiamin Siew
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jia Li
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Guanxu Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - Min Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - Xiaohua Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - Sue Yu
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yuanyuan Chew
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chin Wen Png
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yongliang Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shijun Wen
- Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Henry Yang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yiting Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun Chau Long
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhi Hong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - Qiang Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
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9
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miRNAs and Biomarkers in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: An Update. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031380. [PMID: 33573132 PMCID: PMC7866514 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the leading form of solid cancer and death affecting males between the ages of 20 and 40. Today, their surgical resection and chemotherapy are the treatments of first choice, even if sometimes this is not enough to save the lives of patients with TGCT. As seen for several tumors, the deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is also a key feature in TGCTs. miRNAs are small molecules of RNA with biological activity that are released into biological fluids by testicular cancer cells. Their presence, therefore, can be detected and monitored by considering miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers for TGCTs. The purpose of this review is to collect all the studies executed on miRNAs that have a potential role as biomarkers for testicular tumors.
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10
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Kudryavtseva AV, Kalinin DV, Pavlov VS, Savvateeva MV, Fedorova MS, Pudova EA, Kobelyatskaya AA, Golovyuk AL, Guvatova ZG, Razmakhaev GS, Demidova TB, Simanovsky SA, Slavnova EN, Poloznikov AА, Polyakov AP, Melnikova NV, Dmitriev AA, Krasnov GS, Snezhkina AV. Mutation profiling in eight cases of vagal paragangliomas. BMC Med Genomics 2020; 13:115. [PMID: 32948195 PMCID: PMC7500026 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-020-00763-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vagal paragangliomas (VPGLs) belong to a group of rare head and neck neuroendocrine tumors. VPGLs arise from the vagus nerve and are less common than carotid paragangliomas. Both diagnostics and therapy of the tumors raise significant challenges. Besides, the genetic and molecular mechanisms behind VPGL pathogenesis are poorly understood. Methods The collection of VPGLs obtained from 8 patients of Russian population was used in the study. Exome library preparation and high-throughput sequencing of VPGLs were performed using an Illumina technology. Results Based on exome analysis, we identified pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants of the SDHx genes, frequently mutated in paragangliomas/pheochromocytomas. SDHB variants were found in three patients, whereas SDHD was mutated in two cases. Moreover, likely pathogenic missense variants were also detected in SDHAF3 and SDHAF4 genes encoding for assembly factors for the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex. In a patient, we found a novel variant of the IDH2 gene that was predicted as pathogenic by a series of algorithms used (such as SIFT, PolyPhen2, FATHMM, MutationTaster, and LRT). Additionally, pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were determined for several genes, including novel genes and some genes previously reported as associated with different types of tumors. Conclusions Results indicate a high heterogeneity among VPGLs, however, it seems that driver events in most cases are associated with mutations in the SDHx genes and SDH assembly factor-coding genes that lead to disruptions in the SDH complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna V Kudryavtseva
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Dmitry V Kalinin
- Vishnevsky Institute of Surgery, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladislav S Pavlov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria V Savvateeva
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria S Fedorova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena A Pudova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Alexander L Golovyuk
- Vishnevsky Institute of Surgery, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Zulfiya G Guvatova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - George S Razmakhaev
- National Medical Research Radiological Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana B Demidova
- A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey A Simanovsky
- A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena N Slavnova
- National Medical Research Radiological Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey А Poloznikov
- National Medical Research Radiological Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey P Polyakov
- National Medical Research Radiological Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nataliya V Melnikova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey A Dmitriev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - George S Krasnov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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11
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Piepoli S, Alt AO, Atilgan C, Mancini EJ, Erman B. Structural analysis of the PATZ1 BTB domain homodimer. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2020; 76:581-593. [PMID: 32496219 PMCID: PMC7271949 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798320005355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
PATZ1 is a ubiquitously expressed transcriptional repressor belonging to the ZBTB family that is functionally expressed in T lymphocytes. PATZ1 targets the CD8 gene in lymphocyte development and interacts with the p53 protein to control genes that are important in proliferation and in the DNA-damage response. PATZ1 exerts its activity through an N-terminal BTB domain that mediates dimerization and co-repressor interactions and a C-terminal zinc-finger motif-containing domain that mediates DNA binding. Here, the crystal structures of the murine and zebrafish PATZ1 BTB domains are reported at 2.3 and 1.8 Å resolution, respectively. The structures revealed that the PATZ1 BTB domain forms a stable homodimer with a lateral surface groove, as in other ZBTB structures. Analysis of the lateral groove revealed a large acidic patch in this region, which contrasts with the previously resolved basic co-repressor binding interface of BCL6. A large 30-amino-acid glycine- and alanine-rich central loop, which is unique to mammalian PATZ1 amongst all ZBTB proteins, could not be resolved, probably owing to its flexibility. Molecular-dynamics simulations suggest a contribution of this loop to modulation of the mammalian BTB dimerization interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Piepoli
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aaron Oliver Alt
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
| | - Canan Atilgan
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, SUNUM, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Erika Jazmin Mancini
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
| | - Batu Erman
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
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12
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Chieffi P, De Martino M, Esposito F. Further insights into testicular germ cell tumor oncogenesis: potential therapeutic targets. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2020; 20:189-195. [PMID: 32164473 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2020.1736566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common neoplasia in the young male population, and the incidence has been constantly increasing in many parts of the world. These tumors are classified into seminomas and non-seminomas, and those divided, in turn, into yolk sac tumors, embryonal cell carcinomas, choriocarcinomas, and teratomas. Although therapeutic approaches have improved, approximately 25% of the patients relapse or, in a small number of cases, show platinum-resistant disease.Areas covered: We review several molecular targets that have recently emerged as powerful tools for both diagnosis and therapy of TGCTs. Moreover, we reviewed the most frequent deregulated pathways involved in TGCT tumorigenesis, reporting drugs that may emerge as novel therapeutic agents.Expert opinion: TGCT treatment is mainly based on platinum-derivative therapy with high cure rates. However, in the refractory patients, there are few alternative treatments. Thus, different pharmacological approaches have to be thoroughly investigated to shed new light on TGCT pathogenesis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Chieffi
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università della Campania, Caserta, Italy
| | - Marco De Martino
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università della Campania, Caserta, Italy.,Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del CNR c/o Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Scuola di Medicina e Chirurgia di Napoli, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Esposito
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del CNR c/o Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Scuola di Medicina e Chirurgia di Napoli, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
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13
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Bridge JA, Sumegi J, Druta M, Bui MM, Henderson-Jackson E, Linos K, Baker M, Walko CM, Millis S, Brohl AS. Clinical, pathological, and genomic features of EWSR1-PATZ1 fusion sarcoma. Mod Pathol 2019; 32:1593-1604. [PMID: 31189996 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-019-0301-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Molecular diagnostics of sarcoma subtypes commonly involve the identification of characteristic oncogenic fusions. EWSR1-PATZ1 is a rare fusion partnering in sarcoma, with few cases reported in the literature. In the current study, a series of 11 cases of EWSR1-PATZ1 fusion positive malignancies are described. EWSR1-PATZ1-related sarcomas occur across a wide age range and have a strong predilection for chest wall primary site. Secondary driver mutations in cell-cycle genes, and in particular CDKN2A (71%), are common in EWSR1-PATZ1 sarcomas in this series. In a subset of cases, an extended clinical and histopathological review was performed, as was confirmation and characterization of the fusion breakpoint revealing a novel intronic pseudoexon sequence insertion. Unified by a shared gene fusion, EWSR1-PATZ1 sarcomas otherwise appear to exhibit divergent morphology, a polyphenotypic immunoprofile, and variable clinical behavior posing challenges for precise classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Bridge
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Translational Genomics Research Institute/Ashion, Phoenix, AZ, USA. .,Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Janos Sumegi
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Translational Genomics Research Institute/Ashion, Phoenix, AZ, USA.,Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mihaela Druta
- Sarcoma Department, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Marilyn M Bui
- Sarcoma Department, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.,Department of Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Evita Henderson-Jackson
- Sarcoma Department, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.,Department of Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Konstantinos Linos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Michael Baker
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Christine M Walko
- Personalized Medicine Institute, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Andrew S Brohl
- Sarcoma Department, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.,Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
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14
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Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most frequent solid malignant tumors in men 20-34 years of age and the most frequent cause of death from solid tumors in this age group. In addition, the incidence of these tumors has significantly increased over the last few decades. Testicular germ cell tumors are classified into seminoma and nonseminoma germ cell tumors (NSGCTs). NSGCTs can be further divided into embryonal carcinoma, Teratoma, yolk sac tumor, and choriocarcinoma. There are noteworthy differences about therapy and prognosis of seminomas and nonseminoma germ cell tumors, even though both share characteristics of the primordial germ cells (PGCs). Many discovered biomarkers including HMGA1, GPR30, Aurora-B, estrogen receptor β, and others have given further advantage to discriminate between histological subgroups and could represent useful molecular therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Chieffi
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università della Campania, Caserta, Italy
- Address correspondence to:Dr. Paolo Chieffi, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università della Campania, Viale Ellittico, 3181100 Caserta, Italy. E-mail:
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15
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Chieffi P, De Martino M, Esposito F. New Anti-Cancer Strategies in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2019; 14:53-59. [DOI: 10.2174/1574892814666190111120023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background: The most common solid malignancy of young men aged 20 to 34 years is testicular germ cell tumor. In addition, the incidence of these tumors has significantly increased throughout the last years. Testicular germ cell tumors are classified into seminoma and nonseminoma germ cell tumors, which take in yolk sac tumor, embryonal cell carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, and teratoma. There are noteworthy differences about therapy and prognosis of seminomas and nonseminoma germ cell tumors, even though both share characteristics of the primordial germ cells. </P><P> Objectives: The study is focused on different molecular mechanisms strongly involved in testicular germ cell line tumors underlying new strategies to treat this human neoplasia.Methods:Bibliographic data from peer-reviewed research, patent and clinical trial literature, and around eighty papers and patents have been included in this review.Results:Our study reveals that several biomarkers are usefully utilized to discriminate among different histotypes. Moreover, we found new patents regarding testicular germ cell tumor treatments such as the expression of claudin 6, monoclonal antibody (Brentuximab Vedotin), immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) with the FDA-approved drugs pembrolizumab and nivolumab or the oncolytic virus Pelareorep, the combination of selective inhibitors of Aurora kinase.Conclusion:Finally, the pathogenesis of testicular germ cell tumor needs to be deeply understood so that it will improve data on stem cells, tumorigenesis and disease tumor management by more selective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Chieffi
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Marco De Martino
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Francesco Esposito
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology of the CNR c / o Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine and Surgery of Naples, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
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16
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Vitiello M, Palma G, Monaco M, Bello AM, Camorani S, Francesca P, Rea D, Barbieri A, Chiappetta G, Vita GD, Cerchia L, Arra C, Fedele M. Dual Oncogenic/Anti-Oncogenic Role of PATZ1 in FRTL5 Rat Thyroid Cells Transformed by the Ha-RasV12 Oncogene. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10020127. [PMID: 30744101 PMCID: PMC6410289 DOI: 10.3390/genes10020127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PATZ1 is a transcriptional factor downregulated in thyroid cancer whose re-expression in thyroid cancer cells leads to a partial reversion of the malignant phenotype, including the capacity to proliferate, migrate, and undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. We have recently shown that PATZ1 is specifically downregulated downstream of the Ras oncogenic signaling through miR-29b, and that restoration of PATZ1 in Ha-Ras transformed FRTL5 rat thyroid cells is able to inhibit their capacities to proliferate and migrate in vitro. Here, we analyzed the impact of PATZ1 expression on the in vivo tumorigenesis of these cells. Surprisingly, FRTL5-Ras-PATZ1 cells showed enhanced tumor initiation when engrafted in nude mice, even if their tumor growth rate was reduced compared to that of FRTL5-Ras control cells. To further investigate the cause of the enhanced tumor engraftment of FRTL5-Ras-PATZ1 cells, we analyzed the stem-like potential of these cells through their capacity to grow as thyrospheres. The results showed that restoration of PATZ1 expression in these cells increases stem cell markers’ expression and self-renewal ability of the thyrospheres while limiting their growth capacity. Therefore, we suggest that PATZ1 may play a role in enhancing the stem cell potential of thyroid cancer cells, but, at the same time, it impairs the proliferation of non-stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Vitiello
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Palma
- S.S.D. Sperimentazione Animale, Istituto Nazionale Tumori⁻IRCCS⁻Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Mario Monaco
- Functional Genomic Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori⁻IRCCS⁻Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Anna Maria Bello
- Functional Genomic Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori⁻IRCCS⁻Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Simona Camorani
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Paola Francesca
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Domenica Rea
- S.S.D. Sperimentazione Animale, Istituto Nazionale Tumori⁻IRCCS⁻Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Antonio Barbieri
- S.S.D. Sperimentazione Animale, Istituto Nazionale Tumori⁻IRCCS⁻Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Gennaro Chiappetta
- Functional Genomic Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori⁻IRCCS⁻Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Gabriella De Vita
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Laura Cerchia
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Claudio Arra
- S.S.D. Sperimentazione Animale, Istituto Nazionale Tumori⁻IRCCS⁻Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Monica Fedele
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy.
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17
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Xie W, Qiao X, Shang L, Dou J, Yang X, Qiao S, Wu Y. Knockdown of ZNF233 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Gene 2018; 679:179-185. [PMID: 30179682 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.08.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Zinc finger proteins (ZNFs) are one of the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic genomes with extraordinarily diverse functions. ZNF233 is located on 19q13.31 and encodes a 670-amino acid protein belonging to the Krüppel C2H2-type ZNF family. However, little is known about the role of ZNF233 in cancer progression. In this study, we reported for the first time that ZNF233 mRNA was remarkably up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues in comparison with corresponding non-tumorous normal liver tissues. ZNF233 expression level was correlated with tumor grade, tumor stage and prognosis of HCC patients. We further investigated the effect of ZNF233 on HCC cell growth. It is found that overexpression of ZNF233 in SMMC-7721 could promote G1/S transition and thus accelerate cell growth ratio. Consistently, knockdown of ZNF233 in QGY-7701 cells successfully suppressed cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Further immunohistochemical staining revealed a reduced Ki-67-positive cell percentage in xenografted tumor derived from ZNF233-knocking down cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate a positive role of ZNF233 in regulating HCC cell growth. ZNF233 might be developed as a novel biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China
| | - Xiaojing Qiao
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China
| | - Lingyue Shang
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China
| | - Jianming Dou
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China
| | - Xi Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China
| | - Shouyi Qiao
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China
| | - Yanhua Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China.
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18
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Zhao C, Yan M, Li C, Feng Z. POZ/BTB and AT-Hook-Containing Zinc Finger Protein 1 (PATZ1) Suppresses Progression of Ovarian Cancer and Serves as an Independent Prognosis Factor. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:4262-4270. [PMID: 29926841 PMCID: PMC6044213 DOI: 10.12659/msm.908766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The POZ/BTB and AT-hook-containing Zinc finger protein 1 (PATZ1) is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor belonging to the POZ domain Krüppel-like zinc finger (POK) family. It is involved in the pathogenesis of a growing list of human diseases, including cancer. The effect of PATZ1 on serous ovarian carcinoma (SOC) remains unclear. This study initially explored the clinical significance of PATZ1 in patients with SOC, the relationship between its expression and the prognosis of SOC patients, and its role in tumor proliferation and invasion. MATERIAL AND METHODS Immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were performed to characterize the expression of PATZ1 in SOC tissues. The relationship between PATZ1 expression and the clinicopathological features of patients with SOC was analyzed by chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses were utilized to evaluate the prognosis of SOC. PATZ1-constructed transfection-mediated overexpression was conducted. The CCK-8 assay was performed to examine the proliferation, while Transwell assay was used to detect the invasive capability. RESULTS The results of IHC and qPCR analyses showed that the expression of PATZ1 in cancerous tissue was significantly lower than that in non-cancerous tissues. Meanwhile, PATZ1 expression was significantly associated with tumor differentiation and LN metastasis. Survival analysis showed that PATZ1 expression was one of the independent prognosis factors for overall survival of SOC patients. In addition, overexpression of PATZ1 inhibited the proliferation and invasion of OVCAR3 cells by in vitro experiments. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that PATZ1 is a novel prognostic marker in SOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuihong Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Min Yan
- Department of Obstetrics, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Chengjuan Li
- Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Zhongtao Feng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong, China (mainland)
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19
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Discovery and functional characterization of microRNAs and their potential roles for gonadal development in spotted knifejaw, Oplegnathus punctatus. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2018; 28:1-8. [PMID: 29800760 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The spotted knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus) is a newly emerging economical fishery species in China. Studies focused on the regulation of gonadal development and gametogenesis of spotted knifejaw are still insufficient. As a key post-transcriptional regulator, miRNAs have been shown to play important roles in development and reproduction systems. In this study, small RNA deep sequencing in ovary and testis of spotted knifejaw were performed to screen miRNA expression patterns. After sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, a total of 247 conserved known miRNAs and 41 novel miRNAs were identified in spotted knifejaw gonads for the first time. In addition, 36 miRNAs were differentially expressed between testis and ovary. The putative target genes of differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were significantly enriched in several pathways related to sexual differentiation and gonadal development, such as steroid hormone biosynthesis. Sequencing data was validated through qRT-PCR analysis of selected DE miRNAs. Dual-luciferase reporter analyses of filtered miRNA-target gene pairs confirmed that opu-miR-27b-3p targeted in piwi2 and mov10l1 3' UTRs and down-regulated their expressions in spotted knifejaw. The notion that mov10l1 and piwi2 enhance germ cells proliferation and regulate gonadal development and gametogenesis suggests that opu-miR-27b-3p may attenuated this process in the gonads of spotted knifejaw. These findings provided insights into regulatory roles of gonadal miRNAs and supplied fundamental resources for further studies on miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation in reproductive system of spotted knifejaw.
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Abstract
A critical step for maintenance of genetic stability is chromosome segregation, which requires a high coordination of cellular processes. Loss of mitotic regulation is a possible cause of aneuploidy in human epithelial malignancy and it is thought to create an abnormal nuclear morphology in cancer cells. Serine/threonine protein kinase Aurora B gene plays a regulatory role from G2 to cytokinesis, encompassing key cell cycle events such as centrosome duplication, chromosome bi-orientation, and segregation. The overexpression of Aurora B has been observed in several tumour types, and has been linked with a poor prognosis for cancer patients. Therapeutic inhibition of Aurora kinase showed great promise as a probable anticancer regime because of its important role during cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Chieffi
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università della Campania, Caserta, Italy
- Address correspondence to:Dr. Paolo Chieffi, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università della Campania, Viale Ellittico, 31 81100 Caserta, Italy. E-mail:
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21
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Franco R, Scognamiglio G, Valentino E, Vitiello M, Luciano A, Palma G, Arra C, La Mantia E, Panico L, Tenneriello V, Pinto A, Frigeri F, Capobianco G, Botti G, Cerchia L, De Chiara A, Fedele M. PATZ1 expression correlates positively with BAX and negatively with BCL6 and survival in human diffuse large B cell lymphomas. Oncotarget 2018; 7:59158-59172. [PMID: 27494852 PMCID: PMC5312302 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) include a heterogeneous group of diseases, which differ in both cellular origin and clinical behavior. Among the aggressive malignancies of this group, the diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) are the most frequently observed. They are themselves clinically and molecularly heterogeneous and have been further sub-divided in three sub-types according to different cell of origin, mechanisms of oncogenesis and clinical outcome. Among them, the germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) derives from the germinal center and expresses the BCL6 oncogene. We have previously shown that Patz1-knockout mice develop B-cell neoplasias, suggesting a tumor suppressor role for PATZ1 in human NHLs. Here, by immunohistochemical analysis of a tissue-microarray including 170 NHLs, we found that PATZ1 nuclear expression is down-regulated in follicular lymphomas and DLBCLs. Moreover, consistent with our previous results showing a PATZ1-dependent regulation of BCL6 and BAX transcription, we show that low PATZ1 nuclear expression significantly correlates with high BCL6 expression, mainly in DLBCLs, and with low BAX expression, also considering separately follicular lymphomas and DLBCLs. Finally, by analyzing overall and progression-free survival in DLBCL patients that underwent rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy, low levels of PATZ1 were significantly associated to a worst outcome and demonstrated an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis, including known prognostic factors of DLBCL, IPI score and cell of origin (GCB/non-GCB). Therefore, we propose PATZ1 as a new prognostic marker of DLBCLs, which may act as a tumor suppressor by enhancing apoptosis through inhibiting and enhancing transcription of BCL6 and BAX, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Franco
- Surgical Pathology Unit, National Cancer Institute 'Fondazione Giovanni Pascale', IRCCS, Naples, Italy.,Pathology Unit, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Giosuè Scognamiglio
- Surgical Pathology Unit, National Cancer Institute 'Fondazione Giovanni Pascale', IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Valentino
- Surgical Pathology Unit, National Cancer Institute 'Fondazione Giovanni Pascale', IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Vitiello
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Luciano
- Animal Facility, National Cancer Institute 'Fondazione Giovanni Pascale', IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Palma
- Animal Facility, National Cancer Institute 'Fondazione Giovanni Pascale', IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Arra
- Animal Facility, National Cancer Institute 'Fondazione Giovanni Pascale', IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Elvira La Mantia
- Surgical Pathology Unit, National Cancer Institute 'Fondazione Giovanni Pascale', IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Panico
- Pathology Unit, Hospital 'S.G. Moscati', Avellino, Italy
| | | | - Antonello Pinto
- Haematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Department of Hematology, National Cancer Institute, Fondazione 'G. Pascale', IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Frigeri
- Haematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Department of Hematology, National Cancer Institute, Fondazione 'G. Pascale', IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetana Capobianco
- Haematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Department of Hematology, National Cancer Institute, Fondazione 'G. Pascale', IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Gerardo Botti
- Surgical Pathology Unit, National Cancer Institute 'Fondazione Giovanni Pascale', IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Cerchia
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Annarosaria De Chiara
- Surgical Pathology Unit, National Cancer Institute 'Fondazione Giovanni Pascale', IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Fedele
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
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Fedele M, Crescenzi E, Cerchia L. The POZ/BTB and AT-Hook Containing Zinc Finger 1 (PATZ1) Transcription Regulator: Physiological Functions and Disease Involvement. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18122524. [PMID: 29186807 PMCID: PMC5751127 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18122524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PATZ1 is a zinc finger protein, belonging to the POZ domain Krüppel-like zinc finger (POK) family of architectural transcription factors, first discovered in 2000 by three independent groups. Since that time accumulating evidences have shown its involvement in a variety of biological processes (i.e., embryogenesis, stemness, apoptosis, senescence, proliferation, T-lymphocyte differentiation) and human diseases. Here we summarize these studies with a focus on the PATZ1 emerging and controversial role in cancer, where it acts as either a tumor suppressor or an oncogene. Finally, we give some insight on clinical perspectives using PATZ1 as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target.
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23
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Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) is the most common solid malignancy occurring in young men between 20 and 34 years of age, and its incidence has increased significantly over the last decades. Clinically several types of immunohistochemical markers are useful and sensitive. These new biomarkers are genes expressed in primordial germ cells/gonocytes and embryonic pluripotency-related cells but not in normal adult germ cells and they include OCT3/4, HMGA1 and 2, NANOG, SOX2, and LIN28. Gene expression in TGCT is regulated, at least in part, by DNA and histone modifications, and the epigenetic profile of these tumours is characterised by genome-wide demethylation. There are different epigenetic modifications in TGCT subtypes that reflect the normal developmental switch in primordial germ cells from an under to normally methylated genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Chieffi
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università della Campania, Caserta, Italy
- Address correspondence to: Dr. Paolo Chieffi, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Viale Ellittico, 31 81100 Caserta, Italy. E-mail:
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24
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Iesato A, Nakamura T, Izumi H, Uehara T, Ito KI. PATZ1 knockdown enhances malignant phenotype in thyroid epithelial follicular cells and thyroid cancer cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:82754-82772. [PMID: 29137300 PMCID: PMC5669926 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was designed to examine the involvement of PATZ1 in carcinogenesis and dedifferentiation of thyroid cancer. Immunohistochemistry on clinical specimens indicated nuclear PATZ1 expression in all normal thyroid glands and adenomatous goiter, while nuclear PATZ1 expression decreased along with the dedifferentiation of thyroid cancer. Knockdown of nuclear PATZ1 by siRNA in an immortalized normal follicular epithelial cell line (Nthy-ori 3-1) altered cellular morphology and significantly increased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, MMP9, and MMP11 was increased by PATZ1 knockdown in Nthy-ori 3-1 cells. When PATZ1 was silenced in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) cell lines (TPC-1 and FTC-133), proliferation, cellular motility, and expression of uPA and MMPs were significantly increased. Forced expression of exogenous PATZ1 decreased proliferation, cellular motility, and the expression of uPA and MMPs in ATC cell lines (ACT-1 and FRO). In thyroid cancer cell lines, PATZ1 functioned as a tumor suppressor regardless of p53 status. Moreover, the ratio of nuclear PATZ1 positive tumors was significantly decreased in ATC irrespective of p53 status. Our study demonstrates that PATZ1 knockdown enhances malignant phenotype both in thyroid follicular epithelial cells and thyroid cancer cells, suggesting that PATZ1 functions as a tumor suppressor in thyroid follicular epithelial cells and is involved in the dedifferentiation of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asumi Iesato
- Division of Breast, Endocrine and Respiratory Surgery, Department of Surgery (II), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Teruo Nakamura
- Division of Breast, Endocrine and Respiratory Surgery, Department of Surgery (II), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Hiroto Izumi
- Department of Occupational Pneumology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Takeshi Uehara
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Ito
- Division of Breast, Endocrine and Respiratory Surgery, Department of Surgery (II), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
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PATZ1 is a new prognostic marker of glioblastoma associated with the stem-like phenotype and enriched in the proneural subtype. Oncotarget 2017; 8:59282-59300. [PMID: 28938636 PMCID: PMC5601732 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), the most malignant of the brain tumors, has been classified on the basis of molecular signature into four subtypes: classical, mesenchymal, proneural and neural, among which the mesenchymal and proneural subtypes have the shortest and longest survival, respectively. Here we show that the transcription factor PATZ1 gene is upregulated in gliomas compared to normal brain and, among GBMs, is particularly enriched in the proneural subtype and co-localize with stemness markers. Accordingly, in GBM-derived glioma-initiating stem cells (GSCs) PATZ1 is overexpressed compared to differentiated tumor cells and its expression significantly correlates with the characteristic stem cell capacity to grow as neurospheres in vitro. Interestingly, survival analysis demonstrated that PATZ1 lower levels informed poor prognosis in GBM and, specifically, in the proneural subgroup, suggesting it may serve a role as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for intra-subtype heterogeneity of proneural GBM. We also show that PATZ1 suppresses the expression of the mesenchyme-inducer CXCR4, and that PATZ1 and CXCR4 are inversely correlated in GSC and proneural GBM. Overall these findings support a central role of PATZ1 in regulating malignancy of GBM.
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Chieffi P. An Overview on Predictive Biomarkers of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. J Cell Physiol 2016; 232:276-280. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Chieffi
- Dipartimento di Psicologia; Seconda Università di Napoli; Caserta Italy
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27
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Chieffi P. New perspective on molecular markers as promising therapeutic targets in germ cell tumors. Intractable Rare Dis Res 2016; 5:137-9. [PMID: 27195201 PMCID: PMC4869583 DOI: 10.5582/irdr.2016.01007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most frequent solid malignant tumors in men 20-40 years of age and the most frequent cause of death from solid tumors in this age group. TGCTs comprise two major histologic groups: seminomas and non-seminomas germ cell tumors (NSGCTs). NSGCTs can be further divided into embryonal carcinoma, Teratoma, yolk sac tumor, and choriocarcinoma. Seminomas and NSGCTs present significant differences in clinical features, therapy, and prognosis, and both show characteristics of the Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs). Many discovered biomarkers including HMGA1, GPR30, Aurora-B, estrogen receptor β, and others have given further advantages to discriminate between histological subgroups and could represent useful therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Chieffi
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Seconda Università di Napoli, Caserta, Italy
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28
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PATZ1 is a target of miR-29b that is induced by Ha-Ras oncogene in rat thyroid cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25268. [PMID: 27125250 PMCID: PMC4850481 DOI: 10.1038/srep25268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulatory transcriptional factor PATZ1 is constantly downregulated in human thyroid cancer where it acts as a tumour suppressor by targeting p53-dependent genes involved in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and cell migration. The aim of the present work was to elucidate the upstream signalling mechanisms regulating PATZ1 expression in thyroid cancer cells. The bioinformatics search for microRNAs able to potentially target PATZ1 led to the identification of several miRNAs. Among them we focused on the miR-29b since it was found upregulated in rat thyroid differentiated cells transformed by the Ha-Ras oncogene towards a high proliferating and high migratory phenotype resembling that of anaplastic carcinomas. Functional assays confirmed PATZ1 as a target of miR-29b, and, consistently, an inverse correlation between miR-29b and PATZ1 protein levels was found upon induction of Ha-Ras oncogene expression in these cells. Interestingly, restoration of PATZ1 expression in rat thyroid cells stably expressing the Ha-Ras oncogene decreased cell proliferation and migration, indicating a key role of PATZ1 in Ras-driven thyroid transformation. Together, these results suggest a novel mechanism regulating PATZ1 expression based on the upregulation of miR-29b expression induced by Ras oncogene.
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29
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Chieffi P, Boscia F. New discovered molecular markers as promising therapeutic targets in germ cell tumors. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2015. [DOI: 10.1517/21678707.2015.1074070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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30
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Boscia F, Passaro C, Gigantino V, Perdonà S, Franco R, Portella G, Chieffi S, Chieffi P. High levels of GPR30 protein in human testicular carcinoma in situ and seminomas correlate with low levels of estrogen receptor-beta and indicate a switch in estrogen responsiveness. J Cell Physiol 2015; 230:1290-7. [PMID: 25413376 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPR30) is suggested to be involved in non-nuclear estrogen signalling and is expressed in a variety of hormone dependent cancer entities. It is well established that oestrogens are involved in pathological germ cell proliferation including testicular germ cell tumours. This study was performed to further elucidate the role of this receptor and the possible correlation with the estrogen receptor β in human testicular carcinoma in situ (CIS), seminomas and in GC1 and TCam-2 germ cell lines; in addition, a Tissue Micro-Array was built using the most representative areas from 25 cases of human testicular seminomas and 20 cases of CIS. The expression of ERβ and GPR30 were observed by using Western blot analysis in combination with immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses. Here, we show that down regulation of ERβ associates with GPR30 over-expression both in human testicular CIS and seminomas. In addition, we show that 17β-oestradiol induces the ERK1/2 activation and increases c-Fos expression through GPR30 associated with ERβ down-regulation in TCam-2 cell line. The present results suggest that exposure to oestrogens or oestrogen-mimics, in some as of yet undefined manner, diminishes the ERβ-mediated growth restraint in CIS and in human testicular seminoma, probably due to ERβ down-regulation associated to GPR30 increased expression indicating that GPR30 could be a potential therapeutic target to design specific inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Boscia
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università di Napoli "Federico II,", Naples, Italy
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31
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Chiappetta G, Valentino T, Vitiello M, Pasquinelli R, Monaco M, Palma G, Sepe R, Luciano A, Pallante P, Palmieri D, Aiello C, Rea D, Losito SN, Arra C, Fusco A, Fedele M. PATZ1 acts as a tumor suppressor in thyroid cancer via targeting p53-dependent genes involved in EMT and cell migration. Oncotarget 2015; 6:5310-23. [PMID: 25595894 PMCID: PMC4467151 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PATZ1, a POZ-Zinc finger protein, is emerging as an important regulator of development and cancer, but its cancer-related function as oncogene or tumor-suppressor is still debated. Here, we investigated its possible role in thyroid carcinogenesis. We demonstrated PATZ1 is down-regulated in thyroid carcinomas compared to normal thyroid tissues, with an inverse correlation to the degree of cell differentiation. In fact, PATZ1 expression was significantly further down-regulated in poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancers compared to the papillary histotype, and it resulted increasingly delocalized from the nucleus to the cytoplasm proceeding from differentiated to undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas. Restoration of PATZ1 expression in three thyroid cancer-derived cell lines, all characterized by fully dedifferentiated cells, significantly inhibited their malignant behaviors, including in vitro proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, migration and invasion, as well as in vivo tumor growth. Consistent with recent studies showing a role for PATZ1 in the p53 pathway, we showed that ectopic expression of PATZ1 in thyroid cancer cells activates p53-dependent pathways opposing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cell migration to prevent invasiveness. These results provide insights into a potential tumor-suppressor role of PATZ1 in thyroid cancer progression, and thus may have potential clinical relevance for the prognosis and therapy of thyroid cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apoptosis
- Blotting, Western
- Carcinoma, Papillary/genetics
- Carcinoma, Papillary/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Papillary/pathology
- Cell Movement
- Cell Proliferation
- Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
- Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
- Female
- Genes, Tumor Suppressor
- Humans
- Immunoenzyme Techniques
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/genetics
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Serpins/genetics
- Serpins/metabolism
- Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic/genetics
- Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic/metabolism
- Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic/pathology
- Thyroid Gland/metabolism
- Thyroid Gland/pathology
- Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics
- Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism
- Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Chiappetta
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Functional Genomic Unit, National Cancer Institute “Fondazione Giovanni Pascale”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Valentino
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Counsil (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Vitiello
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Counsil (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquinelli
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Functional Genomic Unit, National Cancer Institute “Fondazione Giovanni Pascale”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Monaco
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Functional Genomic Unit, National Cancer Institute “Fondazione Giovanni Pascale”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Palma
- Animal Facility, National Cancer Institute “Fondazione Giovanni Pascale”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Romina Sepe
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Counsil (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Luciano
- Animal Facility, National Cancer Institute “Fondazione Giovanni Pascale”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Pierlorenzo Pallante
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Counsil (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Palmieri
- Departments of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Human Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Concetta Aiello
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Functional Genomic Unit, National Cancer Institute “Fondazione Giovanni Pascale”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Domenica Rea
- Animal Facility, National Cancer Institute “Fondazione Giovanni Pascale”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Nunzia Losito
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Functional Genomic Unit, National Cancer Institute “Fondazione Giovanni Pascale”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Arra
- Animal Facility, National Cancer Institute “Fondazione Giovanni Pascale”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alfredo Fusco
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Counsil (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Fedele
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Counsil (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
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Oleński K, Tokarska M, Hering D, Puckowska P, Ruść A, Pertoldi C, Kamiński S. Genome-wide association study for posthitis in the free-living population of European bison (Bison bonasus). Biol Direct 2015; 10:2. [PMID: 25585689 PMCID: PMC4302601 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-014-0033-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background About 5–6% of the European bison (Bison bonasus) males are affected by posthitis (necrotic inflammation of the prepuce) and die in the wild forest. Despite many years of study, pathogenesis of this disease has not yet been determined. The main aim of the study was to find SNP markers significantly associated with the incidence of posthitis and mine the genome for candidate genes potentially involved in the development of the disease. Results It was shown that relatively small number of SNPs effects reached genome-wide significance after false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Among 25 significant markers, the highest effects were found for two SNPs (rs110456748 and rs136792896) located at the distance of 23846 bp and 37742 bp, respectively, from OR10A3 gene (olfactory receptor genes), known to be involved in atopic dermatitis in humans. It was also observed that five other significant SNP markers were located in the proximity of candidate genes involved in severe diseases of skin tissue and cancer/tumour development of epithelial or testicular germ cells, which suggest their potential participation in the posthitis. The 25 investigated SNPs showed marked differences in allelic and genotypic frequencies between the healthy and affected bison groups. Conclusions The 2 Mb region of the BTA15 chromosome is involved in genetic background of posthitis and should be closer examined to find causal mutations helpful in better understanding of the disease ethology and to control its incidence in the future. Reviewers This article was reviewed by Prof. Lev Klebanov and Dr. Fyodor Kondrashov.
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33
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The dosage of Patz1 modulates reprogramming process. Sci Rep 2014; 4:7519. [PMID: 25515777 PMCID: PMC4268633 DOI: 10.1038/srep07519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of pluripotent cells can be achieved by combined overexpression of transcription factors Oct4, Klf4, Sox2 and c-Myc in somatic cells. This cellular reprogramming process overcomes various barriers to re-activate pluripotency genes and re-acquire the highly dynamic pluripotent chromatin status. Many genetic and epigenetic factors are essentially involved in the reprogramming process. We previously reported that Patz1 is required for maintenance of ES cell identity. Here we report that Patz1 plays an inhibitory role in OKSM-induced reprogramming process since more iPS colonies can be induced from Patz1+/− MEFs than wild type MEFs; while the addition of Patz1 significantly repressed reprogramming efficiency. Patz1+/− MEFs can surpass the senescence barrier of Ink4a/Arf locus, thus enhancing iPS colonies formation. Moreover, Patz1+/− MEFs displayed higher levels of acetylated histone H3, H3K4me2, H3K4me3, H3K36me3 and lower levels of histone H3K9me3 and HP1α, indicating that heterozygous knockout of Patz1 results in a globally open chromatin which is more accessible for transcriptional activation. However, Patz1−/− MEFs gave the lowest reprogramming efficiency which may result from cell senescence trigged by up-regulated Ink4a/Arf locus. Together, we have demonstrated that the dosage of Patz1 modulates reprogramming process via significantly influencing cell senescence, proliferation and chromatin structure.
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34
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Zhou Q, Guo Y, Zheng B, Shao B, Jiang M, Wang G, Zhou T, Wang L, Zhou Z, Guo X, Huang X. Establishment of a proteome profile and identification of molecular markers for mouse spermatogonial stem cells. J Cell Mol Med 2014; 19:521-34. [PMID: 25352495 PMCID: PMC4369810 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are undifferentiated cells that are required to maintain spermatogenesis throughout the reproductive life of mammals. Although SSC transplantation and culture provide a powerful tool to identify the mechanisms regulating SSC function, the precise signalling mechanisms governing SSC self-renewal and specific surface markers for purifying SSCs remain to be clearly determined. In the present study, we established a steady SSC culture according to the method described by Shinohara's lab. Fertile progeny was produced after transplantation of cultured SSCs into infertile mouse testis, and the red fluorescence exhibited by the culture cell membranes was stably and continuously transmitted to the offspring. Next, via advanced mass spectrometry and an optimized proteomics platform, we constructed the proteome profile, with 682 proteins expressed in SSCs. Furthermore bioinformatics analysis showed that the list contained several known molecules that are regulated in SSCs. Several nucleoproteins and membrane proteins were chosen for further exploration using immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. The results showed that SALL1, EZH2, and RCOR2 are possibly involved in the self-renewal mechanism of SSCs. Furthermore, the results of tissue-specific expression analysis showed that Gpat2 and Pld6 were uniquely and highly expressed in mouse testes and cultured SSCs. The cellular localization of PLD6 was further explored and the results showed it was primarily expressed in the spermatogonial membrane of mouse testes and cultured SSCs. The proteins identified in this study form the basis for further exploring the molecular mechanism of self-renewal in SSCs and for identifying specific surface markers of SSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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35
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Cousminer DL, Stergiakouli E, Berry DJ, Ang W, Groen-Blokhuis MM, Körner A, Siitonen N, Ntalla I, Marinelli M, Perry JRB, Kettunen J, Jansen R, Surakka I, Timpson NJ, Ring S, Mcmahon G, Power C, Wang C, Kähönen M, Viikari J, Lehtimäki T, Middeldorp CM, Hulshoff Pol HE, Neef M, Weise S, Pahkala K, Niinikoski H, Zeggini E, Panoutsopoulou K, Bustamante M, Penninx BWJH, Murabito J, Torrent M, Dedoussis GV, Kiess W, Boomsma DI, Pennell CE, Raitakari OT, Hyppönen E, Davey Smith G, Ripatti S, McCarthy MI, Widén E. Genome-wide association study of sexual maturation in males and females highlights a role for body mass and menarche loci in male puberty. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:4452-64. [PMID: 24770850 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about genes regulating male puberty. Further, while many identified pubertal timing variants associate with age at menarche, a late manifestation of puberty, and body mass, little is known about these variants' relationship to pubertal initiation or tempo. To address these questions, we performed genome-wide association meta-analysis in over 11 000 European samples with data on early pubertal traits, male genital and female breast development, measured by the Tanner scale. We report the first genome-wide significant locus for male sexual development upstream of myocardin-like 2 (MKL2) (P = 8.9 × 10(-9)), a menarche locus tagging a developmental pathway linking earlier puberty with reduced pubertal growth (P = 4.6 × 10(-5)) and short adult stature (p = 7.5 × 10(-6)) in both males and females. Furthermore, our results indicate that a proportion of menarche loci are important for pubertal initiation in both sexes. Consistent with epidemiological correlations between increased prepubertal body mass and earlier pubertal timing in girls, body mass index (BMI)-increasing alleles correlated with earlier breast development. In boys, some BMI-increasing alleles associated with earlier, and others with delayed, sexual development; these genetic results mimic the controversy in epidemiological studies, some of which show opposing correlations between prepubertal BMI and male puberty. Our results contribute to our understanding of the pubertal initiation program in both sexes and indicate that although mechanisms regulating pubertal onset in males and females may largely be shared, the relationship between body mass and pubertal timing in boys may be complex and requires further genetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diane J Berry
- Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Wei Ang
- School of Women's and Infants' Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Antje Körner
- Center of Pediatric Research, Department of Women's & Child Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Niina Siitonen
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine
| | - Ioanna Ntalla
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece Genetic Epidemiology Group, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Marcella Marinelli
- Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Catelonia, Spain Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - John R B Perry
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Johannes Kettunen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) Department of Chronic Disease Prevention, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rick Jansen
- EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center/GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ida Surakka
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) Department of Chronic Disease Prevention, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Susan Ring
- Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - George Mcmahon
- Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Chris Power
- Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Carol Wang
- School of Women's and Infants' Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Mika Kähönen
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Tampere University Hospital and University of Tampere School of Medicine, Tampere 33521, Finland
| | - Jorma Viikari
- Department of Medicine, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku 20521, Finland
| | - Terho Lehtimäki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories and University of Tampere School of Medicine, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Christel M Middeldorp
- Department of Biological Psychology Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center/GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Madlen Neef
- Center of Pediatric Research, Department of Women's & Child Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sebastian Weise
- Center of Pediatric Research, Department of Women's & Child Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katja Pahkala
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine Paavo Nurmi Centre, Sports & Exercise Medicine Unit, Department of Physical Activity and Health
| | - Harri Niinikoski
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | | | - Mariona Bustamante
- Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Catelonia, Spain Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Genes and genomes, Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain and
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center/GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Joanne Murabito
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maties Torrent
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain ib-salut, Area de Salut de Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - George V Dedoussis
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Wieland Kiess
- Center of Pediatric Research, Department of Women's & Child Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Craig E Pennell
- School of Women's and Infants' Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Olli T Raitakari
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Elina Hyppönen
- Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK School of Population Health and Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, Australia South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Terrace, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Samuli Ripatti
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) Hjelt Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Mark I McCarthy
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, UK Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
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Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) mature exclusively in peripheral tissues, hampering research into their developmental and functional programs. Here, we employed deep cap analysis of gene expression on skin-derived MCs to generate the most comprehensive view of the human MC transcriptome ever reported. An advantage is that MCs were embedded in the FANTOM5 project, giving the opportunity to contrast their molecular signature against a multitude of human samples. We demonstrate that MCs possess a unique and surprising transcriptional landscape, combining hematopoietic genes with those exclusively active in MCs and genes not previously reported as expressed by MCs (several of them markers of unrelated tissues). We also found functional bone morphogenetic protein receptors transducing activatory signals in MCs. Conversely, several immune-related genes frequently studied in MCs were not expressed or were weakly expressed. Comparing MCs ex vivo with cultured counterparts revealed profound changes in the MC transcriptome in in vitro surroundings. We also determined the promoter usage of MC-expressed genes and identified associated motifs active in the lineage. Befitting their uniqueness, MCs had no close relative in the hematopoietic network (also only distantly related with basophils). This rich data set reveals that our knowledge of human MCs is still limited, but with this resource, novel functional programs of MCs may soon be discovered.
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Pannone G, Santoro A, Pasquali D, Zamparese R, Mattoni M, Russo G, Landriscina M, Piscazzi A, Toti P, Cignarelli M, Lo Muzio L, Bufo P. The role of survivin in thyroid tumors: differences of expression in well-differentiated, non-well-differentiated, and anaplastic thyroid cancers. Thyroid 2014; 24:511-9. [PMID: 24117205 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2013.0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survivin is involved in human cancer and is responsible for aggressive biological behavior and poor clinical outcomes in several human malignancies. Thus, we hypothesized that the upregulation of survivin protein expression may be enhanced in parallel with transition toward a poorly differentiated phenotype in human thyroid carcinomas. METHODS The expression of survivin was evaluated, using a standard linked streptavidin-biotin horseradish peroxidase technique technique, in a series of 56 human thyroid carcinomas (42 papillary, 4 poorly differentiated, and 10 anaplastic carcinomas) and thyroid carcinoma cell lines at different degrees of differentiation. RESULTS The cytoplasmic expression of survivin protein was significantly upregulated in all thyroid tumors. A statistically significant association was found between nuclear survivin expression and anaplastic thyroid cancer (mean ± SD: well-differentiated thyroid cancer, 1.22 ± 20.21; non-well-differentiated thyroid cancer, 34.00 ± 25.17; anaplastic thyroid cancer, 56.50 ± 22.10; p<0.001). Nuclear staining of survivin has been shown in poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, and this is likely due to the upregulation of the ΔEx3 survivin splicing variant, as shown in poorly differentiated/anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell lines. Of note, selected thyroid tumors characterized by a mixed population of differentiated and undifferentiated neoplastic cells, likely progressing from well to poorly differentiated and anaplastic phenotypes, exhibited cytoplasmic expression of survivin in differentiated fields and nuclear protein staining in poorly differentiated and anaplastic areas. This expression profile provides substantial added value to conventional clinical markers in predicting anaplastic cancer. The cut-off for distinguishing thyroids that developed ATC from those that remained differentiated was >30% of nuclear survivin expression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area was 0.92, with a p-value of <0.0001. CONCLUSIONS Upregulation of survivin expression may be a molecular marker of dedifferentiation in thyroid epithelial carcinomas, likely being responsible for survival responses of tumor cells and, thus, favoring progression toward a poorly differentiated phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Pannone
- 1 Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Anatomic Pathology, University of Foggia , Foggia, Italy
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Santillo A, Falvo S, Chieffi P, Burrone L, Chieffi Baccari G, Longobardi S, Di Fiore MM. d-aspartate affects NMDA receptor-extracellular signal–regulated kinase pathway and upregulates androgen receptor expression in the rat testis. Theriogenology 2014; 81:744-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Revised: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Chieffi P. An overview on new anticancer molecular targets in human testicular germ cell tumors. RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-013-0280-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Beta-catenin and epithelial tumors: a study based on 374 oropharyngeal cancers. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:948264. [PMID: 24511551 PMCID: PMC3912883 DOI: 10.1155/2014/948264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Revised: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction. Although altered regulation of the Wnt pathway via beta-catenin is a frequent event in several human cancers, its potential implications in oral/oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC/OPSCC) are largely unexplored. Work purpose was to define association between beta-catenin expression and clinical-pathological parameters in 374 OSCCs/OP-SCCs by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Materials and Methods. Association between IHC detected patterns of protein expression and clinical-pathological parameters was assessed by statistical analysis and survival rates by Kaplan-Meier curves. Beta-catenin expression was also investigated in OSCC cell lines by Real-Time PCR. An additional analysis of the DNA content was performed on 22 representative OSCCs/OPSCCs by DNA-image-cytometric analysis. Results and Discussion. All carcinomas exhibited significant alterations of beta-catenin expression (P < 0.05). Beta-catenin protein was mainly detected in the cytoplasm of cancerous cells and only focal nuclear positivity was observed. Higher cytoplasmic expression correlated significantly with poor histological differentiation, advanced stage, and worst patient outcome (P < 0.05). By Real-Time PCR significant increase of beta-catenin mRNA was detected in OSCC cell lines and in 45% of surgical specimens. DNA ploidy study demonstrated high levels of aneuploidy in beta-catenin overexpressing carcinomas. Conclusions. This is the largest study reporting significant association between beta-catenin expression and clinical-pathological factors in patients with OSCCs/OPSCCs.
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Recent advances in molecular and cell biology of testicular germ-cell tumors. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 312:79-100. [PMID: 25262239 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800178-3.00003-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Testicular germ-cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most frequent solid malignant tumors in men 20-40 years of age and the most frequent cause of death from solid tumors in this age group. TGCTs comprise two major histologic groups: seminomas and nonseminomas germ-cell tumors (NSGCTs). NSGCTs can be further divided into embryonal, carcinoma, Teratoma, yolk sac tumor, and choriocarcinoma. Seminomas and NSGCTs present significant differences in clinical features, therapy, and prognosis, and both show characteristics of the primordial germ cells. Many discovered biomarkers including OCT3/4, SOX2, SOX17, HMGA1, Nek2, GPR30, Aurora-B, estrogen receptor β, and others have given further advantages to discriminate between histological subgroups and could represent useful novel molecular targets for antineoplastic strategies. More insight into the pathogenesis of TGCTs is likely to improve disease management not only to better treatment of these tumors but also to a better understanding of stem cells and oncogenesis.
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PATZ1 interacts with p53 and regulates expression of p53-target genes enhancing apoptosis or cell survival based on the cellular context. Cell Death Dis 2013; 4:e963. [PMID: 24336083 PMCID: PMC3877567 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2013.500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Revised: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PATZ1 is a transcriptional factor functioning either as an activator or a repressor of gene transcription depending upon the cellular context. It appears to have a dual oncogenic/anti-oncogenic activity. Indeed, it is overexpressed in colon carcinomas, and its silencing inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation or increases sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli of glioma cells, suggesting an oncogenic role. Conversely, the development of B-cell lymphomas, sarcomas, hepatocellular carcinomas and lung adenomas in Patz1-knockout (ko) mice supports its tumour suppressor function. PATZ1 role in mouse lymphomagenesis is mainly because of the involvement of PATZ1 in BCL6-negative autoregulation. However, this does not exclude that PATZ1 may be involved in tumorigenesis by other mechanisms. Here, we report that PATZ1 interacts with the tumour suppressor p53 and binds p53-dependent gene promoters, including those of BAX, CDKN1A and MDM2. Knockdown of PATZ1 in HEK293 cells reduces promoter activity of these genes and inhibits their expression, suggesting a role of PATZ in enhancing p53 transcriptional activity. Consistently, Patz1-ko mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) show decreased expression of Bax, Cdkn1a and Mdm2 compared with wild-type (wt) MEFs. Moreover, Patz1-ko MEFs show a decreased percentage of apoptotic cells, either spontaneous or induced by treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5FU), compared with wt controls, suggesting a pro-apoptotic role for PATZ1 in these cells. However, PATZ1 binds p53-target genes also independently from p53, exerting, in the absence of p53, an opposite function on their expression. Indeed, knockdown of PATZ1 in p53-null osteosarcoma cells upregulates BAX expression and decreases survival of 5FU-treated cells, then suggesting an anti-apoptotic role of PATZ1 in p53-null cancer cells. Therefore, these data support a PATZ1 tumour-suppressive function based on its ability to enhance p53-dependent transcription and apoptosis. Conversely, its opposite and anti-apoptotic role in p53-null cancer cells provides the perspective of PATZ1 silencing as a possible adjuvant in the treatment of p53-null cancer.
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Grimaldi A, Balestrieri ML, D'Onofrio N, Di Domenico G, Nocera C, Lamberti M, Tonini G, Zoccoli A, Santini D, Caraglia M, Pantano F. The synergistic effect of everolimus and chloroquine on endothelial cell number reduction is paralleled by increased apoptosis and reduced autophagy occurrence. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79658. [PMID: 24244540 PMCID: PMC3823580 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs), a minor subpopulation of the mononuclear cell fraction in peripheral blood, play a critical role in cancer development as they contribute to angiogenesis-mediated pathological neovascularization. In response to tumor cytokines, including VEGF, EPCs mobilize from the bone marrow into the peripheral circulation and move to the tumor bed where they incorporate into sprouting neovessels. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of everolimus (Afinitor, Novartis), a rapamycin analogue, alone or in combination with chloroquine, a 4-alkylamino substituted quinoline family member, one of the autophagy inhibitors, on EPCs biological functions. We found that either everolimus or chloroquine induce growth inhibition on EPCs in a dose-dependent manner after 72 h from the beginning of incubation. The combined administration of the two drugs to EPC was synergistic in inducing growth inhibition; in details, the maximal pharmacological synergism between everolimus and chloroquine in inducing growth inhibition on EPCs cells was recorded when chloroquine was administered 24 h before everolimus. Moreover, we have studied the mechanisms of cell death induced by the two agents alone or in combination on EPCs and we have found that the synergistic effect of combination on EPC growth inhibition was paralleled by increased apoptosis induction and reduced autophagy. These effects occurred together with biochemical features that are typical of reduced autophagic death such as increased co-immunoprecipitation between Beclin 1 and Bcl-2. Chloroquine antagonized the inhibition of the activity of Akt→4EBP1 axis mediated by everolimus and at the same time it blocked the feed-back activation of Erk-1/2 induced by RAD in EPCs. These data suggest a new strategy in order to block angiogenesis in tumours in which this process plays a key role in both the sustainment and spreading of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Grimaldi
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Balestrieri
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia D'Onofrio
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Gilda Di Domenico
- Blood Transfusion Center, “S. Giovanni Bosco” of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Cosimo Nocera
- Blood Transfusion Center, “S. Giovanni Bosco” of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Lamberti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Igiene, Medicina del lavoro e Medicina Legale, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tonini
- Campus Bio-Medico University, Translational Oncology PRABB, Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Zoccoli
- Campus Bio-Medico University, Translational Oncology PRABB, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Santini
- Campus Bio-Medico University, Translational Oncology PRABB, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Francesco Pantano
- Campus Bio-Medico University, Translational Oncology PRABB, Rome, Italy
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Abramova A, Sakaguchi S, Schebesta A, Hassan H, Boucheron N, Valent P, Roers A, Ellmeier W. The transcription factor MAZR preferentially acts as a transcriptional repressor in mast cells and plays a minor role in the regulation of effector functions in response to FcεRI stimulation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77677. [PMID: 24204913 PMCID: PMC3804165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mast cells are key players in type I hypersensitivity reactions in humans and mice and their activity has to be tightly controlled. Previous studies implicated the transcription factor MAZR in the regulation of mast cell function. To study the role of MAZR in mast cells, we generated a conditional Mazr allele and crossed Mazr (F/F) mice with the Vav-iCre deleter strain, which is active in all hematopoietic cells. MAZR-null BM-derived mast cells (BMMC) were phenotypically indistinguishable from wild-type BMMCs, although the numbers of IL-3 generated Mazr (F/F) Vav-iCre BMMCs were reduced in comparison to Mazr (F/F) BMMCs, showing that MAZR is required for the efficient generation of BMMC in vitro. A gene expression analysis revealed that MAZR-deficiency resulted in the dysregulation of 128 genes, with more genes up- than down-regulated in the absence of MAZR, indicating that MAZR acts as a transcriptional repressor in mast cells. Among the up-regulated genes were the chemokines Ccl5, Cxcl10, Cxcl12, the chemokine receptor Ccr5 and the cytokine IL18, suggesting an immunoregulatory role for MAZR in mast cells. Enforced expression of MAZR in mature Mazr-deficient BMMCs rescued the altered expression pattern of some genes tested, suggesting direct regulation of these genes by MAZR. Upon FcεRI stimulation, Mazr expression was transiently down-regulated in BMMCs. However, early and late effector functions in response to FcεRI-mediated stimulation were not impaired in the absence of MAZR, with the exception of IL-6, which was slightly decreased. Taken together, out data indicate that MAZR preferentially acts as a transcriptional repressor in mast cells, however MAZR plays only a minor role in the transcriptional networks that regulate early and late effector functions in mast cells in response to FcεRI stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Abramova
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Shinya Sakaguchi
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Schebesta
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hammad Hassan
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Boucheron
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Valent
- Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Axel Roers
- Institute for Immunology, University of Technology Dresden, Medical Faculty Carl-Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Wilfried Ellmeier
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
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Staibano S, Ilardi G, Leone V, Luise C, Merolla F, Esposito F, Morra F, Siano M, Franco R, Fusco A, Chieffi P, Celetti A. Critical role of CCDC6 in the neoplastic growth of testicular germ cell tumors. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:433. [PMID: 24059746 PMCID: PMC3849521 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background DNA damage response has been clearly described as an anti-cancer barrier in early human tumorigenesis. Moreover, interestingly, testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) have been reported to lack the DNA Damage Response (DDR) pathway activation. CCDC6 is a pro-apoptotic phosphoprotein substrate of the kinase ataxia telangectasia mutated (ATM) able to sustain DNA damage checkpoint in response to genotoxic stress and is commonly rearranged in malignancies upon fusion with different partners. In our study we sought to determine whether CCDC6 could have a role in the patho-genesis of testicular germ cell tumors. Methods To achieve this aim, analysis for CCDC6 expression has been evaluated on serial sections of the mouse testis by immunohistochemistry and on separate populations of murine testicular cells by western blot. Next, the resistance to DNA damage-induced apoptosis and the production of reactive oxygen species has been investigated in GC1 cells, derived from immortalized type B murine germ cells, following CCDC6 silencing. Finally, the CCDC6 expression in normal human testicular cells, in Intratubular Germ Cell Neoplasia Unclassified (IGCNU), in a large series of male germ cell tumours and in the unique human seminoma TCam2 cell line has been evaluated by immunohistochemistry and by Western Blot analyses. Results The analysis of the CCDC6 expression revealed its presence in Sertoli cells and in spermatogonial cells. CCDC6 loss was the most consistent feature among the primary tumours and TCam2 cells. Interestingly, following treatment with low doses of H2O2, the silencing of CCDC6 in GC1 cells caused a decrease in the oxidized form of cytochrome c and low detection of Bad, PARP-1 and Caspase 3 proteins. Moreover, in the silenced cells, upon oxidative damage, the cell viability was protected, the γH2AX activation was impaired and the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) release was decreased. Conclusions Therefore, our results suggest that the loss of CCDC6 could aid the spermatogonial cells to be part of a pro-survival pathway that helps to evade the toxic effects of endogenous oxidants and contributes to testicular neoplastic growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Staibano
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, CNRz, via S Pansini, 5, Naples 80131, Italy.
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Chieffi P, Chieffi S. Molecular biomarkers as potential targets for therapeutic strategies in human testicular germ cell tumors: an overview. J Cell Physiol 2013; 228:1641-6. [PMID: 23359388 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), the most common malignancy in males between 15 and 34 years of age and the most frequent cause of death from solid tumors in this age group. TGCTs can be subdivided into seminoma and non-seminoma germ cell tumors (NSGCTs), including embryonal cell carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, yolk sac tumor, and teratoma. Seminomas and NSGCTs do not only present distinctive clinical features, but they also show significant differences as far as therapy and prognosis are concerned. Seminomas are highly sensitive to both radiation and chemotherapy, with a good prognosis, non-seminomas are sensitive to platinum-based combination chemotherapy and are less susceptible to radiation, with the exception of teratomas. The different therapeutic outcome might be explained by inherent properties of the cells from which testicular neoplasia originate. The unique treatment sensitivity of TGCTs is unexplained so far, but it is likely to be related to intrinsic molecular characteristics of the PGCs/gonocytes, from which these tumors originate. Many discovered bio-markers including OCT3/4, SOX2, SOX17, HMGA1, HMGA2, PATZ1, GPR30, Aurora B, estrogen receptor β, and others have given further advantages to discriminate between histological subgroups. In addition, therapeutic approaches for the treatment of TGCTs have been proposed: humanized antibodies against receptors/surface molecules on cancer cells, inhibitors of serine-threonine, and tyrosine kinases, and others. The mini-review will be an overview on the molecular alterations identified in TGCTs and on novel targeted antineoplastic strategies that might help to treat chemotherapy resistant TGCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Chieffi
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, II Università di Napoli, Caserta, Italy.
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47
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Transcriptional control of CD4 and CD8 coreceptor expression during T cell development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:4537-53. [PMID: 23793512 PMCID: PMC3827898 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1393-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The differentiation and function of peripheral helper and cytotoxic T cell lineages is coupled with the expression of CD4 and CD8 coreceptor molecules, respectively. This indicates that the control of coreceptor gene expression is closely linked with the regulation of CD4/CD8 lineage decision of DP thymocytes. Research performed during the last two decades revealed comprehensive mechanistic insight into the developmental stage- and subset/lineage-specific regulation of Cd4, Cd8a and Cd8b1 (Cd8) gene expression. These studies provided important insight into transcriptional control mechanisms during T cell development and into the regulation of cis-regulatory networks in general. Moreover, the identification of transcription factors involved in the regulation of CD4 and CD8 significantly advanced the knowledge of the transcription factor network regulating CD4/CD8 cell-fate choice of DP thymocytes. In this review, we provide an overview of the identification and characterization of CD4/CD8 cis-regulatory elements and present recent progress in our understanding of how these cis-regulatory elements control CD4/CD8 expression during T cell development and in peripheral T cells. In addition, we describe the transcription factors implicated in the regulation of coreceptor gene expression and discuss how these factors are integrated into the transcription factor network that regulates CD4/CD8 cell-fate choice of DP thymocytes.
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48
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Valentino T, Palmieri D, Vitiello M, Simeone A, Palma G, Arra C, Chieffi P, Chiariotti L, Fusco A, Fedele M. Embryonic defects and growth alteration in mice with homozygous disruption of the Patz1 gene. J Cell Physiol 2013; 228:646-53. [PMID: 22886576 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Accepted: 07/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
PATZ1 is an emerging cancer-related gene coding for a POZ/AT-hook/kruppel Zinc finger transcription factor, which is lost or misexpressed in human neoplasias. Here, we investigated its role in development exploring wild-type and Patz1-knockout mice during embryogenesis. We report that the Patz1 gene is ubiquitously expressed at early stages of development and becomes more restricted at later stages, with high levels of expression in actively proliferating neuroblasts belonging to the ventricular zones of the central nervous system (CNS). The analysis of embryos in which Patz1 was disrupted revealed the presence of severe defects in the CNS and in the cardiac outflow tract, which eventually lead to a pre-mature in utero death during late gestation or soon after birth. Moreover, the Patz1-null mice showed a general growth retardation, which was consistent with the slower growth rate and the increased susceptibility to senescence of Patz1(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) compared to wild-type controls. Therefore, these results indicate a critical role of PATZ1 in the control of cell growth and embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Valentino
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del CNR and Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
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49
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Molecular detection and targeting of EWSR1 fusion transcripts in soft tissue tumors. Med Oncol 2013; 30:412. [PMID: 23329308 PMCID: PMC3586390 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-012-0412-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 11/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Soft tissue tumors are a heterogeneous group of tumors, traditionally classified according to morphology and histogenesis. Molecular classification divides sarcomas into two main categories: (a) sarcomas with specific genetic alterations and (b) sarcomas showing multiple complex karyotypic abnormalities without any specific pattern. Most chromosomal alterations are represented by translocations which are increasingly detected. The identification of fusion transcripts, in fact, not only support the diagnosis but also provides the basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies aimed at blocking aberrant activity of the chimeric proteins. One of the genes most susceptible to breakage/translocation in soft tissue tumors is represented by Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR1). This gene has a large number of fusion partners, mainly associated with the pathogenesis of Ewing's sarcoma but with other soft tissue tumors too. In this review, we illustrate the characteristics of this gene/protein, both in normal cellular physiology and in carcinogenesis. We describe the different fusion partners of EWSR1, the molecular pathways in which is involved and the main molecular biology techniques for the identification of fusion transcripts and for their inhibition.
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50
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Chieffi P, Chieffi S, Franco R, Sinisi AA. Recent advances in the biology of germ cell tumors: implications for the diagnosis and treatment. J Endocrinol Invest 2012; 35:1015-20. [PMID: 23143673 DOI: 10.3275/8716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT), are the most frequent solid malignant tumors in men 20-40 yr of age, and the most frequent cause of death from solid tumors in this age group. TGCT can be subdivided into seminoma and nonseminoma germ cell tumors (NSGCT), including embryonal cell carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, yolk sac tumor, and teratoma. Seminomas and NSGCT do not only present distinctive clinical features, but they also show significant differences as far as therapy and prognosis are concerned. Many novel markers have given further advantages to discriminate between histological subgroups. In addition, therapeutic approaches for the treatment of TGCT have been proposed: humanized antibodies against receptors/surface molecules on cancer cells, inhibitors of serine-threonine, and tyrosine kinases, and others. The review will focus on the recent advances in the research of molecular alterations identified in TGCT and on novel targeted anti-neoplastic strategies that might help to treat chemotherapy-resistant TGCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Chieffi
- Department of Psychology, Second University of Naples, Caserta, Italy.
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